Hundreds of aged care workers to hit the streets

MEDIA ADVISORY: NEW ZEALAND NURSES ORGANISATION AND SERVICE AND FOOD WORKERS UNION NGA RINGA TOTA

29 February 2012

Hundreds of aged care workers to hit the streets tomorrow

Up to 1500 caregivers, nurses and service workers employed by New Zealand’s largest rest home chain, Oceania, will walk off the job tomorrow morning (Thursday 1 March) at 8.30am in the first of a series of strikes.

The strike action by members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota (SFWU), comes after eight months of bargaining and the Oceania refusal to meet a staff claim for a 3.5% cost of living increase. Oceania has offered 1% a year for three years.

The strike, commencing at 8.30am and ending at 10.30am, will affect 20 rest homes from Dunedin to Auckland.

Union spokesperson Alastair Duncan said Oceania staff had received strong support from residents and their families and were taking the action at a time that minimised disruption.

“Our members go the extra mile for residents every day, but Oceania refuses to make a fair pay offer and has clearly underestimated the determination of their staff,” he said.

ENDS

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